L*ck Me If You Can-Chapter 74

Suddenly, everything went quiet. Koi stared at Ashley, breathing heavily. Ashley, seeing how red Koi’s nose had become, felt a sliver of rationality return.

“Elle’s just a friend.”

“So is Whitney!”

The fire that had let Ashley corner Koi so confidently until now died out all at once. He turned his head to look straight ahead, then glanced down, then looked back over his shoulder, rubbing his chin and mouth, before finally turning his gaze back to Koi and asking in a much calmer tone,

“...What exactly did she drop?”

“Chanel!”

Koi practically shouted, like he’d been waiting for the question. Ashley flinched, his brow furrowed as he repeated Koi’s words.

“Chanel?”

Koi cried out again, his voice full of frustration.

“Yes! Chanel! I said Chanel! Cha! Nel!”

And finally, the tears came. Koi had never felt this wronged before. He’d endured so much unfair treatment at part-time jobs without a word, but this hurt so much more.

Because it’s Ash.

Koi wiped his tears, thinking to himself. He could take it from anyone else—but not from Ashley. Not when Ashley misunderstood and lashed out at him.

Because I like him.

Koi realized it. The reason he couldn’t stand it was because the person who misunderstood him was someone he liked.

In the quiet car, only the sound of Koi’s sniffles filled the space. Ashley looked at him, frozen between guilt and helplessness, before finally turning off the hazard lights and pulling back onto the road.

They didn’t speak for a while. Ashley kept glancing at him, but Koi just kept his head down, sniffling softly. The tears had mostly stopped, but his nose was still bright red. Koi sniffled again, then suddenly wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. Alarmed, Ashley quickly asked,

“Are you crying again?”

Koi answered in a voice full of sadness,

“I didn’t even get to finish my cola.”

His stomach was empty, and he couldn’t stop thinking about the drink he left behind. He should’ve just stayed. He’d wasted his money and ended up fighting with Ashley.

Ashley stayed silent for a moment as Koi kept wiping his eyes. Then he finally asked,

“Did you eat dinner?”

Koi kept his head down and shook it.

Sighing, Ashley made a U-turn on the empty road. Koi swayed slightly in his seat, but it wasn’t as rough as before.

They drove down a new road in silence. After a while, Koi sniffled again and asked,

“...What’s Chanel?”

Still staring ahead, Ashley replied,

“A person’s name.”

“Huh?”

Koi looked even more confused. He glanced at Ashley, then cautiously asked,

“Wait... you’re teasing me, right?”

Normally Ashley would’ve teased him, but now wasn’t the time. Ashley answered bluntly,

“I’m serious. You’ll see if you look it {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} up.”

“...Oh. Okay.”

Koi hesitantly pulled out his phone to search. S...

“C.”

Ashley corrected immediately. Koi quickly erased the S and typed each letter as Ashley said. The screen loaded, and Koi began reading through the results.

“Looks like someone from way back?”

“Not that far back.”

Koi tilted his head. Why were they talking about a dead person now? Was Ashley confused?

...Or maybe Whitney was into some kind of cult?

Just as a chill ran down his spine, a 24-hour fast food restaurant came into view. At this hour, it was the only place open that served food. Ashley pulled into the empty drive-thru and asked before ordering,

“What do you want?”

Koi looked up slowly, still sniffling. The menu was full of burgers he’d never dream of ordering. He didn’t even know where to start. Sensing his hesitation, Ashley glanced at him and said,

“I’m getting the bacon cheeseburger with double patties. Want the same?”

“Uh...”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Just the thought made Koi’s mouth water. It was already a pricey place—and now double patties? Ashley smiled for the first time when he saw Koi’s face light up. Seeing that, Koi finally started to relax. With a much gentler tone, Ashley asked,

“What about sides?”

“I-I’m fine.”

Ashley then offered a drink.

“No mango cola.”

“Um...”

Koi hesitated, then asked timidly,

“Can I have a milkshake...?”

When it came to taste, sweetness was what he sensed best. The creamy texture made milkshakes his favorite. He rarely bought one—they were expensive.

Ashley nodded and asked again,

“Anything else? You want extra toppings on your burger?”

Just then, Koi spotted a small line of text on the menu: All toppings free. His eyes sparkled as he answered,

“Then yes—tomatoes, onions. And cheese too.”

Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freewebnσvel.cøm.

“Alright.”

Ashley pressed the button and began ordering. Just hearing the list made Koi’s mouth water. While they waited for the food, Ashley pulled the car forward. Koi, now in a much better mood, felt like the fight earlier had completely vanished. At least the misunderstanding seemed cleared up. Surely, Ashley now understood that a girl kissing Connor Niles would never happen.

...Right?

That stray thought suddenly made him feel small again. But just then, the food arrived. Ashley handed him the plastic bag filled with their order and pulled the car into the parking lot after paying.

“Here.”

Taking the bag Koi had been hugging, Ashley pulled out the burger he’d ordered and handed it to him. Koi’s eyes sparkled.

“Thanks.”

He meant it. Ashley silently passed him the milkshake. Koi carefully peeled back the burger wrapper, layer by layer.

It was the thickest burger he’d ever seen. For a moment, Koi just stared, entranced. He opened his mouth as wide as he could, bit into the burger in two parts, and chewed. The unexpected softness, the crispy texture—it was incredible. His eyes widened.

If only I could smell it.

For the first time, Koi felt a pang of regret. He’d probably enjoy it even more if he could. He was sure it tasted ten times better than what he was sensing now.

“Is it good?” Ashley asked before taking a bite of his own. Koi nodded with his mouth full. Unable to speak, he gave a big thumbs up. Ashley chuckled quietly and started eating too.

They ate in silence for a while. After finishing the burger, onion rings, fries, and even cheese sticks, Koi felt like he might burst. He could probably skip food for the next three days.

Well, that saves money on lunch.

That thought made him smile. Watching him, Ashley thought to himself,

He really can’t smell, huh?

Very few people would lie about something like that. Not unless they were absolute trash—like his father. But Koi wasn’t like that. Not at all.

How did it happen?

Maybe it was congenital. Maybe something happened. If it was the latter... an accident? What kind of accident?

Ashley had a lot of questions, but asking them wasn’t easy. He was reminded once again just how vague their relationship was.

I can’t wait around forever.

He needed to make a decision. Either Koi had to accept his feelings—or Ashley would kidnap and lock him away.

Once they finished eating, Ashley packed the trash into the bag and placed it in the backseat.

“Buckle up.”

At his instruction, Koi hurried to fasten his seatbelt. On the drive back to Koi’s house, Ashley said nothing. The car was filled with the scent of pheromones, but Koi didn’t notice how tense Ashley was.

*

“Thanks for the ride.”

As always, Koi got out at the same spot and gave a polite bow. Ashley, standing beside the car, tilted his head slightly.

“The burger was great. Really good.”

“Yeah.”

Ashley gave another short reply and looked down, scratching above his eyebrow with his thumb as if searching for words. Koi waited, curious.

“Koi.”

“Yeah?”

He replied quickly. Ashley straightened his back and asked,

“Earlier... you were jealous of me and Elle, right?”

The question was so sudden, Koi’s brain went completely blank.

“N-no, I, um—no, I...”

He frantically shook his head but couldn’t get the words out. His face turned red like a ripe tomato again, but Ashley didn’t laugh. Instead, he spoke with complete seriousness.

“I was.”

Koi stopped and looked up at him.

Ashley continued, still quiet.

“I thought Whitney kissed your cheek, and I got pissed off. Like, really pissed.”

“She didn’t—”

“Yeah. I saw it wrong. I get that.”

Ashley cut him off before he could finish. With nothing more to say, Koi went silent, and Ashley let out a short sigh.

“Koi.”

“...Yeah.”

This time, he took a little longer to answer. He had no idea what was coming next, and the suspense was killing him.

Ashley looked down at him for a moment—and finally said it.

“I know you like me.”